Before the experience, what did you think would happen?
I thought that I would be really nervous and uncomfortable to be traveling alone. I'm not often in a large public spaces alone and I was a little apprehensive about how it would go. Even though for part of the trip I would be traveling with other people, for several hours at least, I would be in the airport by myself and up to this point in my life, especially as a girl, that is not a situation I ever put myself in. However, I know that going into college and into the rest of my life, this is something that I have to deal with.
I was also not really sure how I would do with some of the physical aspects of the trip. I have never been an athletic person, and I know the higher altitude in Colorado can make even athletes feel out-of-shape, so I was a bit worried about how I would feel when I was up there. Despite all of this, I still felt like I wanted to try everything and not back down. I knew it would be a challenge for me, but no matter what happened I would learn something.
What did you expect to gain from an educational stand-point?
I felt I would learn about leadership and teamwork skills. I wasn't exactly sure what we would be doing, but I knew that throughout the week, we would have activities to build leadership skills. I was really excited to see what we would do and what I could learn from it and from working with the other people with me.
What new knowledge did you hope to gain from this experience?
I really wanted to learn how to push myself more. I knew that during the week there would be chances to do things that physically challenged me. However, I could also do things that were less challenging and more just for fun. While there is nothing wrong with having fun, while at camp, I wanted to do things that scared me and see how far I could go.
What new relationships did you gain from this experience?
I was able to meet and work with other teens from Air Force families from around the country. It was really interesting to get to talk with them, because we share a lot of things that other kids our age don't. Not only that, but throughout the week, I met a lot of really great friends, and I even got to travel with some of them for part of the way. I also got to meet some really great adult leaders and counselors, who pushed us to do our best and taught us about leadership and cooperation.
How did you think you would benefit from your involvement?
I thought that I would benefit from becoming more confident. I thought that by pushing myself outside my comfort zone, by challenging myself, meeting new people, and learning how to be a better leader, I could be a more confident person.
I thought that I would be really nervous and uncomfortable to be traveling alone. I'm not often in a large public spaces alone and I was a little apprehensive about how it would go. Even though for part of the trip I would be traveling with other people, for several hours at least, I would be in the airport by myself and up to this point in my life, especially as a girl, that is not a situation I ever put myself in. However, I know that going into college and into the rest of my life, this is something that I have to deal with.
I was also not really sure how I would do with some of the physical aspects of the trip. I have never been an athletic person, and I know the higher altitude in Colorado can make even athletes feel out-of-shape, so I was a bit worried about how I would feel when I was up there. Despite all of this, I still felt like I wanted to try everything and not back down. I knew it would be a challenge for me, but no matter what happened I would learn something.
What did you expect to gain from an educational stand-point?
I felt I would learn about leadership and teamwork skills. I wasn't exactly sure what we would be doing, but I knew that throughout the week, we would have activities to build leadership skills. I was really excited to see what we would do and what I could learn from it and from working with the other people with me.
What new knowledge did you hope to gain from this experience?
I really wanted to learn how to push myself more. I knew that during the week there would be chances to do things that physically challenged me. However, I could also do things that were less challenging and more just for fun. While there is nothing wrong with having fun, while at camp, I wanted to do things that scared me and see how far I could go.
What new relationships did you gain from this experience?
I was able to meet and work with other teens from Air Force families from around the country. It was really interesting to get to talk with them, because we share a lot of things that other kids our age don't. Not only that, but throughout the week, I met a lot of really great friends, and I even got to travel with some of them for part of the way. I also got to meet some really great adult leaders and counselors, who pushed us to do our best and taught us about leadership and cooperation.
How did you think you would benefit from your involvement?
I thought that I would benefit from becoming more confident. I thought that by pushing myself outside my comfort zone, by challenging myself, meeting new people, and learning how to be a better leader, I could be a more confident person.